Life, 1913-04-17 · page 37 of 52
Life — April 17, 1913 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a satirical dialogue between "Life" (the magazine's personified mascot) and **George W. Perkins**, a real historical figure—a financier and J.P. Morgan associate who styled himself as a progressive reformer. The joke exposes the hypocrisy of wealthy industrialists claiming to champion "the people" while pursuing self-interest. Perkins boasts he'll lead the public "out of the wilderness" through reform, yet admits he can't sleep worrying about them (performative concern). Life's character sardonically notes this paradox: Perkins wants to *avoid* socialism by granting minor concessions, while secretly angling for personal gain—a "Harvester Trust" or ambassadorship. The satire targets the era's "muckraking" critique of robber barons masquerading as philanthropists. Perkins's amnesia about his past financial dealings underscores the critique: his reform credentials are conveniently selective. The page also advertises Mrs. Woodrow Wilson's landscape paintings in *The Ladies' Home Journal*—period-appropriate content for this 1912-era magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
hants Com- hon- ollars On Life's Wire z. . Is that Lire?” is is Lire. Who is it, This is George W. Perkins.” “Oh, hello, Mr. Perkins! What's new?” “Nothing special. I just wanted to let you know I am still at it.” “Still at what? Financiering and clipping coupons and all that sort of thing?” Oh, surely! I must do that, but that isn’t what I mean. I mean I’m still at reform.” “ Reform?” “Yes. You know I think with just or three more simple twists of the wrist I'l have the people out of their difficulties.” “Great! It’s true then that you are a great friend of the people?” “Am 1? I should say so. I can't ‘sleep 0’ nights from worrying about them.” “Splendid! There is no doubt in the world that the people need a few staunch friends just now. What's the next move?" “Well, there isn't much more to do Just as soon az I get the people to think- ing Lam the one to lead them out of the wilderness——" “That ought to be casy.” “Not so easy as you think, Lire. | have a post. You know I haven't always been so high-minded and so people- lor fe d forgotten.” “If every one hed as short a memory as you, Live, the thing would be easy indeed.” “You're not a Socialist, are you, Mr. Perk “Oh, no, but I’ve read a lot of Social- ‘AND es LANMAN‘’S Florida Water This fragrant and refreshing toilet perfume, in use for a century, makes the daily bath a luxury and a supreme delight. Leading Druggists sell it. Accept no Substitute! Sample sent on receipt Of six cents in stamps, NY Lanman & Kemp N 135 Water Street MRS. WOODROW WILSON A LANDSCAPE PAINTER A comparative few only know to what extent the Lady of the White House is a landscape painter, or have seen the actual work of her brush. Her two most represent, ative paintings, personally selected by Mrs. Wilson and presented with her special permission, are given in their full and original colors, for the first time in any magazine, in the May number of THE LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL Aside from the surprise that awaits a first acquaintance with Mrs. Wilson’s art, the pictures lend themselves beautifully to framing. On Sale Everywhere—15 Cents ‘The Curtis Publishing Company, Independence Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ist books. You see my idca is to at Socialism by giving the people a socialistic reforms.” “Isn't that rather paradoxical, Mr. Perkin: “Perhaps so. But then, you know, even the people require a few conces- sions occasionally. Of con you and me, Live, it is never necessary No. That's true. Do you want any- for yoursclf out of it, Mr. Per- ng a great we uplift “Perhaps a Harvester Trust or a Senatorship or an Ambassadorship or little thing of that sort.” Yes. Any little thing of that kind would , dy.” Perkins. We'll look ¢ matter and see what can be Atefully good of you, lave. Goode “Good-bye, Mr. Perkins.” comicbooks.com